The Arakan Army Says It Will Respond to the Junta in Collaboration With Partner Organizations

News ၊ July 21, 2026

AA Soldiers in Liaza (photocrd)

The Arakan Army (AA) announced on July 19th that it will respond, in collaboration with partner organizations, to the fascist military junta's airstrikes and attacks on villages in Arakan (Rakhine State). The junta is reportedly carrying out these attacks with the primary aim of committing genocide against the Arakanese people.

This announcement was made by the AA following the commemoration of Myanmar's 79th Martyrs' Day. On that day, the junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, gave a speech about national unity and cohesion. Shortly after, the junta launched inhumane airstrikes on civilian villages in three townships of Arakan: Taunggoke, Thandwe, and Ponnagyun.

The AA's statement reads:

"The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) will respond to every offensive by the fascist military junta, not only alongside the entire Arakanese people but also together with organizations, individuals, and partner organizations that we trust, respect, and rely upon, including those along the borders."

The statement also mentioned that the junta's calls for peace and talks within the last 100 days are now a matter of ridicule.

The AA's statement detailed the attacks on July 19th alone. It said the junta carried out successive airstrikes on civilian-populated areas in three townships of Arakan.

At approximately 11:30 AM, a jet fighter from the junta dropped three 300-pound bombs on Ward 2 and Ward 3 of Ma-Ei town in Taunggoke Township. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 5 civilians, injuries to 22 others (including a monk and children), and damage to one church and 20 civilian homes.

Following that, between 4:06 PM and 4:24 PM, the junta conducted five airstrikes using jet fighters on Thandwe town, injuring 4 civilians and damaging some homes.

Later, at around 6:30 PM, a single jet fighter dropped two 300-pound bombs near a monastery in the Taungpauk area of Ponnagyun Township. This attack injured 2 monks and 1 civilian.

The announcement concluded that the junta's airstrikes on the three towns in Arakan State on July 19th were carried out with the intent of committing genocide. In just one day, these attacks resulted in the deaths of 5 innocent civilians, and injuries to 3 monks and 26 other civilians.

source@arakanprincessmedia